Krysta Rodriguez to Star in Broadway Production of Anthony McCarten’s “The Collaboration” 

Krysta Rodriguez is working on a new collaboration

The 38-year-old Latina actress/singer and Broadway star and Erik Jensen will complete the cast of the upcoming Broadway production of Anthony McCarten’s The Collaboration starring the previously announced actors Paul Bettany and Jeremy Pope.

Krysta Rodriguez,The play, a hit in London, depicts the artistic collaboration of painters Andy Warhol (Bettany) and Jean-Michel Basquiat (Pope), will make its American premiere in a Manhattan Theatre Club production beginning previews on Tuesday, November 29 ahead of a Tuesday, December 20 opening at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.

Rodriguez will play Basquiat’s girlfriend “Maya” and Jensen will portray “Bruno Bischofberger,” the art dealer and gallery owner who brings Warhol and Basquiat together. Kwame Kwei-Armah directs.

The casting announcement was made today by Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) and the Young Vic Theatre, Kwame Kwei-Armah (Artistic Director) and Lucy Davies (Executive Director) by special arrangement with Eleanor Lloyd Productions, Anthology Theatre, Stanley Buchthal, and Denis O’Sullivan.

Rodriguez’s previous Broadway credits include Spring Awakening, Into The Woods, Hercules, A Chorus Line and The Addams Family.

Melissa Barrera to Star in the Warhol-Basquiat film “The Collaboration

Melissa Barrera has a new collaboration

The 32-year-old Mexican actress and singer will star in Muse of Fire’s WarholBasquiat film The Collaboration, based on the acclaimed play by four-time Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten.

Melissa BarreraBarrera will star alongside Jeremy Pope, Paul Bettany and Daniel Brühl in the project.

The Collaboration revolves around the relationship of the two iconic artists, starting in the summer of 1984. International superstar Andy Warhol (Bettany) and the art scene’s newest wunderkind, Jean-Michel Basquiat (Pope), agree to work together on what may be the most talked about exhibition in the history of modern art. But can these two creative giants co-exist with such opposing views of life and art?

Today, Warhol and Basquiat’s works sell for tens of millions.

Barrera will play the role of Maya, a formidable truth-teller who loves Basquiat and is wary of Warhol.

McCarten penned the screen adaptation of his play, which made its world premiere at London’s Young Vic Theatre in February, with Bettany and Pope as Warhol and Basquiat, respectively. Renowned theatre director and writer Kwame Kwei-Armah is making his feature directorial debut with the project, after directing the play in its original run.

Production on The Collaboration begins this month in Boston at Marina Studios’ Quincy location.

Once production on the Collaboration film has wrapped, the play will head to Broadway, with Kwei-Armah, Bettany and Pope again returning. December 20 has been set as opening night, with previews beginning at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on November 29.

Barrera is best known for her turns in Paramount/Spyglass’ recent Scream reboot, Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway musical In the Heights for Warner Bros. and HBO Max, and the acclaimed Starz series, Vida.

She more recently led Keep Breathing, the Netflix series, which rose to #1 on the streamer when it premiered in late July.

She’s currently in production on Scream 6, reprising her role as Sam Carpenter, and will next be seen in Benjamin Millepied’s musical Carmen, which is world premiering this month at the Toronto Film Festival.

Daniel Brühl to Star in the Upcoming Warhol-Basquiat Film “The Collaboration”

Daniel Brühl is ready to collaborate

The 44-year-old Spanish-German actor and filmmaker has signed on to star alongside Paul Bettany and Jeremy Pope in the upcoming WarholBasquiat film The Collaboration, based on the acclaimed play by four-time Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten, which heads into production in Boston in September.

Daniel BruhlThe Collaboration revolves around the relationship between the two iconic artists, starting in the summer of 1984. International superstar Andy Warhol (Bettany) and the art scene’s newest wunderkind, Jean-Michel Basquiat (Pope), agree to work together on what may be the most talked about exhibition in the history of modern art. But can these two creative giants co-exist with such opposing views of life and art? (Things worked out in the end, of course, with Warhol and Basquiat’s works now selling for tens of millions.)

Brühl has been tapped for the role of Bruno Bischofberger, the legendary art impresario who first suggested a series of collaborations between Basquiat and Warhol, two artists at very different junctures in their lives and careers in the 1980s.

McCarten adapted his play, which made its world premiere at London’s Young Vic Theatre in February, with Bettany and Pope as Warhol and Basquiat, respectively. Renowned theatre director and writer Kwame Kwei-Armah is returning to mount the film, in his feature debut, after directing the play in its original run. Oscar winner Hannah Beachler will serve as its production designer, with Oscar nominee Robert Yeoman as its cinematographer.

Once production on the Collaboration film has wrapped, the play will head to Broadway, with Kwei-Armah, Bettany and Pope once again returning. Previews will begin at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on November 29, with December 20 set as opening night.

Brühl is a Golden Globe, SAG, and BAFTA Award nominee who has previously been seen starring in films like The King’s ManRush, Inglourious BasterdsCaptain America: Civil WarThe Bourne Ultimatum and A Most Wanted Man, as well as the series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and The Alienist.

His other upcoming projects include the sports drama 2 Win, from director Stefano Mordini, and the thriller Rich Flu, from director Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, in which Rosamund Pike and Macaulay Culkin are also set to 8-star.

Lin-Manuel Miranda to Serve as a Presenter at This Weekend’s Tony Awards Show

Lin-Manuel Miranda has a date with Tony

This Sunday’s 75th Annual Tony Awards will feature a line-up of all-star presenters from the stage and screen, including the 42-year-old Puerto Rican actor, rapper, composer, playwright and filmmaker.

Lin-Manuel MirandaMiranda, a multiple Tony Award winner, is among a roster of presenters that includes Andrew Garfield, Laurence Fishburne, Nathan Lane, Bowen Yang and both Paris and Prince Jackson, the children of MJ subject Michael Jackson.

The roster of presenters was announced by Tony Awards producers, and also includes Josh Lucas, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Skylar Astin, Zach Braff, Danielle Brooks, Danny Burstein, Len Cariou, RuPaul Charles, Jessica Chastain, Lilli Cooper, Bryan Cranston, Wilson Cruz, Colman Domingo, Anthony Edwards, Cynthia Erivo, Raúl Esparza, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Tony Goldwyn, David Alan Grier, Vanessa Hudgens, Jennifer Hudson, Bebe Neuwirth, Kelli O’Hara, Sarah Paulson, Bernadette Peters, Jeremy Pope, Billy Porter, LaTanya Richardson, Chita Rivera, Tony Shalhoub, Phillipa Soo, Sarah Silverman and George Takei,

The four-hour June 12 Tony evening begins at 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT with The Tony Awards: Act One, a one-hour streaming event of exclusive content live on Paramount+ hosted by Darren Criss and Julianne Hough.

The 75th Tony Awards, hosted by Oscar-winning actress and singer Ariana DeBose, follows at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT on CBS and Paramount+. The awards will be presented live coast-to-coast from Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Last night, DeBose confirmed that the Tony Awards also will pay respect to the swings and understudies who made this Covid-plagued Broadway season possible. In response to a tweet from Actors’ Equity president Kate Shindle dismissing social media rumors that swings and understudies would be ignored during the ceremony,

DeBose reiterated Shindle’s assurances, writing, “To all concerned, all I can ask is that you keep the faith & trust. I am working round the clock to bring you all a beautiful celebration of everyone’s hard work…”

Lourdes Leon Teases Her Ensemble for Upcoming Debut Appearance on Savage x Fenty Fashion Show Runway

Lourdes Leon is ready for the runway…

The 24-year-old half-Latina model, fashion designer and singer, Madonna’s daughter, is preparing for her Savage x Fenty debut.

Lourdes Leon

Leon is teasing her appearance in the third installment of Rihanna‘s annual lingerie extravaganza by revealing her eye-catching ensemble for the virtual fashion show, premiering September 24 on Amazon Prime.

Leon posed for a series of sultry shots, showing off her figure in a teal bra and matching panties, which were paired with thigh-high boots and a robe. She also rocked graphic eye makeup and a nude lip, while her dark hair was styled in an edgy updo.

The Savage x Fenty show will mark the second time Leon has graced a runwayLourdes Leon

In 2018, she walked for the first time in Gypsy Sport‘s Spring 2019 presentation during New York Fashion Week, visit Magazine.

As always, Rihanna recruited a star-studded lineup of models, musicians and more all representing a diverse group of backgrounds, body types and ages for the Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3.

This year, viewers can expect to see performances by NasDaddy Yankee, BIA, Jazmine SullivanRicky Martin, Normani and Jade Novah.

Plus, there will be appearances from more celebrities including Cindy CrawfordAdriana LimaBehati PrinslooEmily RatajkowskiGigi HadidIrina ShaykVanessa Hudgens, Troye Sivan, Jeremy Pope and more.

According to a press release, the event “will combine fashion, dance, music, and iconic architecture, highlighting the newest assortment of Savage x Fenty styles through subtle-yet-impactful scenic elements, lighting and filming techniques.”

All of the designs in the new collection will be available to shop at Savage X Fenty and in the Amazon Fashion store right after the show airs.

Earlier this month, Leon also made her debut at the Met Gala in New York City, wearing a sparkly fuchsia Moschino by Jeremy Scott ensemble — complete with a bikini halter top and matching skirt, both covered in sequin embellishments.

Her appearance at the 2021 Costume Institute Gala came after she covered the September issue of Vogue for the magazine’s feature story, “Generation America: The Models Changing an Industry.” She was photographed alongside Bella HadidKaia Gerber, Precious Lee, Anok Yai, Ariel Nicholson, Sherry Shi, and Yumi Nu.

“People think I’m this talentless rich kid who’s had everything given to her, but I’m not,” Leon told the magazine, explaining that she paid her own college tuition and lives in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwick, away from the glitz of Hollywood.

“A teacher of mine made me understand movement in a whole new way,” she told the outlet of her passion. “You’re using your body to define the space around you — to change it. That’s a very naked form of expression.”

Raúl Castillo to Star in Elegance Bratton’s “The Inspection”

Raúl Castillo is ready for an inspection…

The 43-year-old Mexican American actor has joined the cast of Elegance Bratton’s The Inspection starring Jeremy Pope and Gabrielle Union from A24 and Gamechanger Films.

Raul Castillo

The film, written by Bratton and based on his own life, will begin shooting later this summer. Bratton just won an Independent Spirit Award for his documentary Pier Kids.

Effie T. Brown will produce and co-finance on behalf of Gamechanger Films. A24 will co-finance and handle worldwide distribution on the film. Chester Algernal Gordon will produce via their Freedom Principle shingle.

Castillo was most recently seen in Netflix’s Army of the Dead and Wrath of Manwhich is still in theaters and also has Mother/Android coming up on Hulu as well as Night Teeth on Netflix.

Guillermo Díaz to Take Part in Virtual Benefit Reading of Larry Kramer’s “The Normal Heart”

It’s a new normal for Guillermo Díaz.

The 46-year-old Cuban-American actor is among the all-star cast for a virtual benefit reading of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart, which will be directed by Paris Barclay.

Guillermo Diaz

The May 8 reading, which aims to raise funds for ONE Archives Foundation and Invisible Histories Project, will include a special introduction by Martin Sheen.

Sterling K. Brown, Laverne Cox, Jeremy Pope and Jake Borelli are among the cast; Ryan O’Connell; Daniel Newman; Jay Hayden and Danielle Savr.

The reading, according to producers, will mark the first performance of Kramer’s Tony Award-winning play to be performed by a predominately BIPOC and LGBTQ cast.

“When I was approached by ONE Archives Foundation to direct a virtual reading of The Normal Heart, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” said Barclay. “I lived in New York through the 1980s, saw the original production with Brad Davis, and have never forgotten the experience. And through today’s lens, the story of a marginalized people pushed to activism by the onslaught of an epidemic clearly was worth telling again.”

Funds raised from this event will support ONE Archives Foundation’s LGBTQ education initiatives, including K-12 lesson plans on HIV/AIDS, teacher trainings, youth engagement, and ONE Archives Foundation’s exhibitions.

The benefit also supports Invisible Histories Project’s efforts to preserve the legacy of HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ activists through archiving, inclusion training, exhibitions, and programs about Southern LGBTQ history.

The Normal Heart chronicles the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis in New York City, based on Kramer’s cofounding the Gay Men’s Health Crisis in 1982.

The play premiered Off Broadway at New York’s Public Theater in 1985, and was staged on Broadway by director Joel Grey and starring Joe Mantello in 2011, winning a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. Ryan Murphy directed a 2014 film adaptation for HBO.

Tickets go on sale on April 8 here. The reading is scheduled for Saturday, May 8 at 5:00 pm ET.